Used as emulsifier and buffer in foods and pharmaceuticals, metal phosphatising/electroplating reagent, scale inhibitor (boiling water treatment), textile/leather auxiliary, sequestrant, mordant in dyeing, fireproofing agent, reagent and buffer in analytical chemistry, cathartic, and veterinary laxative; Also used for weighting silk and in pottery glazes/porcelain/enamels, tanning, and soldering/brazing (instead of borax); [HSDB] Used in fertilizers, galvanoplastics, and as a dietary supplement; [Hawley]

Comments

A mild skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] Emergency treatment: "Inorganic phosphates"; Inorganic phosphates can cause diarrhea, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia after ingestion; An adult died after receiving four sodium phosphate enemas within 24 hours; he had electrolyte abnormalities and died from cardiac arrest; [HSDB] A mild eye irritant in rabbits; [RTECS]

Category

Description

Sources/Uses

Used as emulsifier and buffer in foods and pharmaceuticals, metal phosphatising/electroplating reagent, scale inhibitor (boiling water treatment), textile/leather auxiliary, sequestrant, mordant in dyeing, fireproofing agent, reagent and buffer in analytical chemistry, cathartic, and veterinary laxative; Also used for weighting silk and in pottery glazes/porcelain/enamels, tanning, and soldering/brazing (instead of borax); [HSDB] Used in fertilizers, galvanoplastics, and as a dietary supplement; [Hawley]

Comments

A mild skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] Emergency treatment: "Inorganic phosphates"; Inorganic phosphates can cause diarrhea, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia after ingestion; An adult died after receiving four sodium phosphate enemas within 24 hours; he had electrolyte abnormalities and died from cardiac arrest; [HSDB] A mild eye irritant in rabbits; [RTECS]